POINTE-À-PITRE, Guadeloupe – In a significant progression for the region, the French-governed islands of Guadeloupe on Thursday will be joining the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as an associate member. Although Basse-Terre is Guadeloupe’s administrative capital, the historic milestone is set to be made official in Pointe-à-Pitre.
The meeting for this accession agreement this Thursday comes about two years after a report commissioned by the government of Saint Lucia urging OECS integration for both Guadeloupe and Martinique. The move will foster better cooperation between Guadeloupe and other OECS members while promoting unity and solidarity among members of the Regional grouping.
“The insertion of our archipelago in our regional area is obvious: it is undoubtedly one of our assets, an asset on which we must build our place in the world. Guadeloupe, located in the middle of the island arch of the Lesser Antilles, shares a strong community of interest with the CARICOM member states and more particularly with the member states or OECS partners,” said Ary Chalus, president of Region Guadeloupe.
